Sous Chef

About the role

The Sands Hotel Kitchen department is the heart and centre of the hotel. This is an opportunity for a creative and strategic leader to be involved in a large culinary operation and lead the development of innovative and market-leading dining concepts. Our food offering celebrates authentic Māori and Asian cuisine, bringing together distinctive flavours, quality ingredients and dishes prepared with care and respect.

Key responsibilities

• Support the head chef in day-to-day kitchen operations during service, ensuring smooth and efficient execution while making operational decisions in the absence of the head chef
• Maintain exceptional culinary standards by overseeing food preparation, cooking, plating, and quality control to ensure consistency in presentation, portioning, and taste
• Drive team performance and development through training, mentoring, and coaching staff, fostering a culture of accountability, promoting professionalism, mutual respect and continuous improvement
• Manage kitchen resources effectively, including stock control, ordering, labour utilisation, portion control, and waste minimisation to achieve food cost targets
• Champion food safety, cleanliness, and workplace safety, ensuring full compliance with food safety regulations, hygiene standards, and health & safety policies in accordance with HACCAP
• Contribute to menu innovation and guest satisfaction by developing dishes and specials, accommodating dietary requirements, and delivering memorable dining experiences, under the directions of the head chef

About you

• At least 5 years' experience in a professional kitchen environment with minimum 2+ years in a Chef de partie or sous chef position
• Experience in a hotel kitchen would be advantageous
• Excellent organisational and time-management abilities, with a strong focus on planning and delivering consistent results under pressure
• Great communication skills, a proven track record of working autonomously and a positive approach
• Motivated team player with strong culinary skills and a real passion for food
• Available to work a rotating 7-day roster including mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays

About us

The Sands Hotel Kitchen department is the heart and centre of the hotel. Our food offering celebrates authentic Māori and Asian cuisine, bringing together distinctive flavours, quality ingredients and dishes prepared with care and respect.

Benefits

• Work with an exciting menu featuring authentic Māori and Asian cuisine
• Bring your skills and creativity to a kitchen with a distinctive food identity
• Work in an unforgettable waterfront location
• Become part of a welcoming and supportive hospitality team
• Enjoy variety across restaurant service, events and group dining
• Develop your skills within a growing hotel and resort
• Receive competitive pay based on your experience and ability
• Help create an exceptional Hokianga experience for every guest